PCOS, crazy cycles, clomid after ep...

Preparing For Your Next Pregnancy
1

Hi,

Before my ectopic my cycles after the pill were 28 days. Since my ep my cycles at been an absolute nightmare, so ttc in turn has been an absolute nightmare! I’m not asking to be pregnant immediately, I just want some regularity! Since my pregnancy finished in feb, My cycles have been:

16 days - no ovulation

17 days - no ovulation

35 days - ovulation day 20

27 days - ovulation day 11

And I’m now experiencing the joy of a cycle which has gone on for 40 days today, with no symptoms of AF showing whatsoever. I tested a week ago and it was negative. I am not sure if I’ve ovulated or not :frowning:

8 months post ep I cannot begin to express how frustrated I am. I fell pregnant first time with ep, and now some months it’s impossible as I am not ovulating. I just don’t understand why my body is doing this? At first, it was understandable as I’d been through a lot… But now this is just getting ridiculous. I’ve had some blood tests for fsh, lh, tsh and all came back fine.

I went to my GP for the third time, who has referred me for a scan and repeat blood tests. She says as I might have PCOS which would add up to my lack of ovulation. This possibility terrifies me as it just seems like another hurdle to overcome, as well as the possibility of a repeat ectopic! No mention of PCOS was made when I had a scan to find my ectopic, so I was hopeful that I didn’t have it. She’s also said that she’ll refer me to a specialist in Dec, and mentioned a trial of clomid in jan, but was against a hsg tests o check my tubes are clear.

My questions are

  1. surely a hsg would be sensible after an ectopic, before prescribing clomid? What if my tubes are blocked and the sperm can’t meet the egg? Or what if the tube where I had my ep is damaged and causes another ep.

  2. I’ve read the clomid increases the risk of an ectopic. Why is this? And is it common for post ep sufferers to have clomid despite their history?

  3. how long should I leave it until I ask her for help starting my period. I’m currently on cd42.

I’m so sorry for the length of my post. I am in disbelief that I am here 8 months on trapped in this situation. I would appreciate some help.

Xx

2

Hey doodle, I’m in kinda the same situation as you. Although I can’t give you any answers I can say atleast your getting some help!! I was diagnosed in my teens with pcos, since my ectopic in Jan I’ve still not had a period so I definitely understand your frustration!!

All that’s kept me going is atleast it happened once, even if it ended in the wrong way! Think as positively as you can! (easier said than done!)

Xxx

3

Hiya,

Thanks for replying. I can’t believe how common PCOS is! Sorry you’re in the same situation. It’s driving me mad as I am so desperate to ttc again. Have you been to your GP? He or she could run blood tests, and you should be able to get a referral in jan if you had your ep then, and haven’t conceived.

Wondered if you would mind telling me how your PCOS was diagnosed?

X

4

It’s a horrible situation to be in! I had irregular periods from about 14(I started when I was 11). So I had scans etc from then. They won’t help me yet cus of my age…we was just being referred when I found out I was pregnant! It was the first time in 3 years, absolutely gutting :frowning:

Hopefully now they will give you some help once you get a diagnosis

Xxx

5

Hi doodle,

I just wanted to reach out and give you a little bit of hope. We tried to conceive for 7 months after I came off the pill and my periods were all over the place, in fact I only had 3 in 7 months but on the 3rd period I fell pregnant , this was ectopic. I had been on the pill for 11 years and was advised by all doctors that it was fine and I didn’t have to take a break. I assumed my bad cycle was because it was still in my system. How long were you on the pill for? Were your cycles regular before you were on it? I was on it for so long it disguised my pcos because it made me bleed regularly.

After my ectopic my first period was 6 weeks later and I felt relieved, the next one was 38 days after that and then 34, much better than 60 days apart before the ectopic. Unfortunately after the last one in March it never arrived.

I didn’t have a period and felt no signs of ovulation, I visited my doctor and she sent me for an internal scan as I had some pain, at this scan they checked my ovaries and said it looks like I have pcos and I should have blood tests, my blood results came back showing I did have pcos.

Like you my doctor said she could proscribe clomid, she said as I fell pregnant before it’s just the ovulation bit I probably need help with , I said I wanted to be booked in for a hsg before going ahead to check my tube was okay and we both agreed, along with my husband to take a break and start it all again in the new year. If I was prescribed my doc said id probably be given enough for 6 cycles, I am not certain but I think it is common to be put on it between 3-6 months.

I think your blood results coming back normal is a great sign as mine were not normal and this is what confirmed my pcos. Hopefully the scan will tell you more but for now your bloods have come back normal which is fantastic (although I understand no answers makes it more frustrating!)

I was gutted that I have it but a colleague of mine also has it but she has regular cycles, 40 days apart, she has 2 children now - as far as I’m aware there are different extremes and some people will still ovulate regularly with it so please don’t panic if that is what your results show.

I should tell you that as soon as we stopped ttc and took a break I felt so much happier and in more control of my life and I actually did fall pregnant in July, I still had not had a period so it was a massive surprise.

I hope you don’t think I’m rubbing it in I just wanted to let you know that for the last 6 months I also felt at a complete loss and like it was impossible with such horrid cycles so I completely empathise with you and feel your despair coming off the page.

You fell pregnant before and if you do go down the clomid road I have heard some really great positive stories about it.

Keep us updated on how it goes. It’s hard but stay positive.

Rhi xx

6

Thank you so much for your reply.

We seem to have been in similar situations, and I am over the moon to hear of your happy news! A really lovely surprise.

I just feel very frustrated as I’m ‘trapped’ in day 40 something of this ridiculous cycle, with very little hope of conceiving. I just don’t understand how people with long cycles conceive, as ovulation, if it happens, could literally be at any point. Were still having regular sex but not to conceive as I just have no idea when our fertile time is.

All my bloods were normal, but the nurse took them all on the same day and during a time when I had no idea what point in my cycle I was! So the dr wants to redo them during my period, so I’m currently waiting for that to start.

I don’t feel like PCOS will be the end of our dreams now, as you’ve given me hope. It seems like many women have it and don’t even realise, thus fall pregnant naturally. I’m really excited about the prospect of clomid as it seems like it will regulate my cycles at least, giving us more chances to conceive.

I’m definitely going to try and get my dr or specialist to test my tubes before clomid, she’s very reluctant, but after doing some research it seems like most ladies have it before clomid, esp if they’ve had an ectopic. I’ve found a clinic which does it privately, which I will pay for if I’m still not allowed it on the NHS.

All my referrals will start in dec, and we have a great holiday booked for Christmas. Despite me being on cd43 and no sign of AF, I’m really going to try and forget wait everything until next year when we will have some help.

I have my scan In a month or so, and blood tests to have when my period arrives. Can i just ask what cycle day you had your tests on?

Xx

7

Hey,

I totally relate to your story.

However we had to TTC for 12 months after the EP before starting tests.

I’m currently 22 months post EP and only had my tube tested 2 months ago and stared clomid this cycle. So sadly it’s a long process as there are rules before they can do tests ect. Sucks really!

Cycles my go from 20 days up to 70 days. And don’t always ovulate too, they suggested PCOS with me also but never confirmed.

All I can say is keep at it but don’t panic that there not rushing to get you tests ect. Not what you want to hear I know. But at least you know there not just pushing you aside!

Good luck and stay strong x

8

Adding to the conversation (a whopping 10 years later!) in case anyone finds this older thread through their searching.

I have PCOS and my first pregnancy was ectopic, I ovulated without my knowledge despite taking the ovulation predictor kits which never came back positive for me.

At the infertility clinic they had twice confirmed that I had ovulated, even though the OPK did not test positive. I was mad that my body can’t just behave normally! But ultimately it was good news that I was ovulating.

For anyone finding this message in Jan 2025, there is evidence that letrozole can work well for triggering ovulation in women with PCOS, in addition to Clomid. In my experience the letrozole
Worked the first time (though I did not fall pregnant).

Something else to keep in mind is that PCOS is not just a reproductive disorder, it also affects your entire metabolic health. In recent years doctors have started to treat PCOS as a lifelong condition instead of “just” a barrier to fertility. Both sides of the condition are awful.

Best of lucky to anyone out there suffering from
Both ectopic pregnancy and PCOS.